SAG Press Release: Why Wisconsin Matters To You

Basically, the Governor of Wisconsin has written into the budget that the unions there can’t have any collective bargaining (by which, unions can resolve disputes and help workers when they negotiate everything from sick leave, safety conditions and fair wages).

Here’s SAG’s press release on the trouble:

Dear Screen Actors Guild Member,

You may have seen or heard news reports about the large rallies in support of union workers taking place in Madison, Wisconsin over the last week. You may have asked yourself why tens of thousands of working people are protesting, or why you should care.

Here’s why what is happening in Wisconsin could have far-reaching consequences for you and union workers across the country. The crowds are protesting because Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker has introduced a proposal that will strip most collective bargaining rights from public workers in Wisconsin. And it is believed that if this action succeeds in Wisconsin, these kinds of anti-union efforts may spread across the country and ultimately could affect labor organizations like Screen Actors Guild.

The right of working people to join together and collectively bargain is enshrined in law. It is fundamental to unionism and allows working people to choose to have a common voice on wages and working conditions in their industries. Screen Actors Guild was formed in 1933 for exactly that reason: to negotiate with the powerful Hollywood studios to ensure fair treatment for actors. We believed in collective bargaining then, and we believe in it today.

The proposed action in Wisconsin seeks to deny union workers their fundamental right to join together and bargain collectively. If it is successful in Wisconsin, it could happen anywhere. In addition to adding our voice of support to other working families around the country, this is why Screen Actors Guild members care about Wisconsin.

Please know that your Guild is taking action to support our fellow union members in Wisconsin. We are reaching out to our members in and around Wisconsin and our legislative committee members to travel to Madison this week so that working families there know that we stand with them.

You can also take part in this effort on social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter, and by voicing your support for Wisconsin union members and the right of all workers to join together and collectively bargain.

For more information, please visit the AFL-CIO website at: www.aflcio.org.